Chapter 34: The capital of the Valkaen power, Astral, of the kingdom of Aster.

Chapter 34: Chapter 34: The capital of the Valkaen power, Astral, of the kingdom of Aster.

Several weeks had passed since the battle in the fields of Nerathis, and Draven had remained in Fernus much longer than he had expected.

At first, the healers would not allow him to stray too far from the palace.

His reconstructed arm needed constant check-ups and still had certain mobility issues.

He could already use it for ordinary activities, but any considerable effort produced pain and a sensation of stiffness in the shoulder.

Taliah had left Fernus before him, since the Valdegrim family had sent people to pick her up as soon as they considered the transfer safe.

Taliah had protested a great deal and had also insisted that Draven go with her, but Zenash’s response had been immediate.

"No."

Draven remembered the discussion perfectly.

"He also needs treatment."

"He will receive it here."

"In Astral we have the best specialists."

"Fernus also has renowned specialists."

"My family can take care of him and that way it lightens your schedule."

"I am his fiancée, so I will take care of him."

Draven had been sitting between the two of them while they argued about where he should recover, as if his opinion were completely irrelevant, and in the end he stayed in Fernus.

Now, weeks later, he was sitting by a window as the train advanced toward Astral.

He rested his head against the seat and observed the outside.

The railway system that connected Bhabel with Astral was one of the most important commercial routes between Fernus and Aster.

Sam had used it many times inside the game, but the real train was much larger than he remembered.

It had several passenger cars, private sectors, cargo compartments, and zones reserved for both military personnel and officials.

The locomotive used a technology that was reinforced through mana to maintain a constant speed during prolonged journeys.

In some stretches, Draven could observe watchtowers near the tracks, which were not decorative.

The routes between kingdoms still crossed zones where monsters or criminal groups could appear.

There were also border controls, but his authorization had made the process simple.

After all, he was traveling as a guest of the Valdegrim family and a future student of the academy.

Draven looked at his arm.

He opened and closed his hand, confirming that the fingers responded correctly.

’Much better.’

He was still not completely recovered, but at least he no longer needed to keep the arm immobilized.

He leaned back again and, as the train advanced, he began to recognize the terrain.

Forests, towns, small cities, crossroads, and Sam had seen all of that from a screen.

Now he could observe people working in the fields, carts transporting merchandise, soldiers checking watch posts, travelers waiting for other trains.

That was still Valkaen, but it had been a long time since Draven had stopped thinking of that world as a simple videogame.

The sound of the train diminished, so Draven raised his gaze and several people began to gather their belongings.

A voice announced that they were approaching Astral, so Draven stood up and took his luggage.

Most of his things were still stored inside the storage bracelet, but he carried a small suitcase so as not to attract too much attention.

He looked out the window and saw the capital, Astral, which even from a distance was enormous.

The buildings extended much farther than he remembered, while the outer zones were full of dwellings, workshops, warehouses, and buildings dedicated to commerce.

Further ahead the larger constructions began, such as towers, administrative buildings, noble residences, temples, military barracks.

And, still farther, he could distinguish some structures belonging to the academy.

Draven remained observing while the train entered the station.

’So I finally arrived.’

The train stopped and the doors began to open, to which Draven got off along with the other passengers.

The station was much more crowded than he expected and he managed to recognize several young people who wore uniforms or equipment related to the academy.

Some traveled alone, others were accompanied by their families, and Draven observed a group of students walking toward the exit.

’Some of them could end up being important characters.’

That idea would have been exciting years ago, but now it produced something different in him, since there were too many things he could no longer predict.

"Lord Dunvyr."

Draven turned, seeing that an older man was in front of him, who wore a perfectly fitted dark suit and maintained an impeccable posture.

"Yes?"

The man inclined his head slightly.

"My name is Albrecht and I am the butler of the Valdegrim house."

Draven looked around.

"Were you waiting for me?"

"Of course."

"I thought I would have to look for transportation."

"It will not be necessary."

The butler pointed toward the exit.

"Lady Taliah insisted that we send a carriage."

Draven let out a small laugh.

"I should have expected that from her."

"She also insisted that we arrive before her train entered the station."

"And that also sounds like something she would say."

Albrecht took the suitcase.

"Allow me."

"It doesn’t weigh much."

"I know."

Draven ended up handing it over and then they left the station where the Valdegrim carriage was waiting.

It was not excessively ostentatious, but the family crest was visible on the sides and several soldiers were nearby.

Draven got in while Albrecht sat in front of him and the carriage began to move.

Draven looked out the window and Astral was even more impressive from inside.

The main streets were wide.

In the commercial zones there were shops specialized in magical artifacts, weapons, books, alchemical materials, and objects imported from other kingdoms.

He also saw completely ordinary establishments, such as bakeries, restaurants, inns, and workshops.

The traffic was constant with carriages, pack animals, and vehicles partially powered by mana.

There was also a strong military presence, such as patrols that roamed the streets and guards who remained at important intersections.

Albrecht noticed that Draven was observing.

"It’s your first time in Astral, right?"

"That’s right."

"It can be overwhelming."

"It’s larger than I expected."

That was true, since Sam knew Astral, but the video game version had been reduced.

Many streets did not exist and entire neighborhoods were simply inaccessible backgrounds, but in reality, each of those places was inhabited.

Draven recognized a tower in the distance.

’There the stolen documents mission began.’

Then he saw a plaza.

’In that zone there was an event with a corrupt noble.’

Further ahead appeared a stone building with several flags of Aster.

’The guild headquarters.’

Each place produced memories, but none guaranteed that things would happen the same.

The carriage continued advancing toward the noble zone and the streets changed.

There were fewer shops, more gardens, residences protected by walls, private guards, and the mansions increased in size as they advanced.

Albrecht pointed toward an elevated zone of the city.

"There is the Royal Palace."

Draven looked, to which he could distinguish part of the towers and the walls.

"It’s closer to the academy than I remembered."

Albrecht looked at him.

"Remembered?"

Draven corrected himself immediately.

"From the maps."

"I understand."

Draven looked away.

’I must be more careful.’

The carriage continued.

Shortly after they arrived at an enormous property where the doors opened and Draven observed the Valdegrim crest.

The carriage crossed a path surrounded by perfectly tended gardens where there were fountains, trees, statues, and a training zone could be seen to one side.

Finally they arrived in front of the mansion.

Albrecht got down first, to which Draven followed him.

The main doors opened showing a tall man who was waiting inside and Draven recognized him immediately.

’Fenrick Valdegrim.’

Taliah’s father, of whom years had passed since the last time he had seen him personally.

Fenrick still had a presence that was difficult to ignore.

"I didn’t expect you to come yourself to receive me."

Fenrick smiled.

"After what happened, it seemed appropriate to me."

Draven felt a certain discomfort.

’Now comes the conversation.’

He had thought a great deal about that moment and it was that Fenrick’s daughter had returned almost dead after accompanying him.

Draven did not expect the man to be especially happy to see him, but Fenrick extended a hand.

"Welcome to our house, Draven."

Draven shook his hand.

"Thank you for receiving me."

"Considering that Taliah has been talking for days about your arrival, we didn’t have many options."

Draven let out a small laugh.

"That’s already common with her."

Fenrick pointed inside.

"Come, come in."

Draven followed him inside.